New Name, Same Game

The name has changed a few times over the years but for the 41^st consecutive summer recently-graduated football players from Monmouth and Ocean County will battle it out for the bragging rights of the Jersey Shore. The Shore Sports Network All-Shore Gridiron Classic presented by InVision Eyecare will be played on Thursday, July 12 at Brick Memorial High School.

The Gridiron Classic is run by the Shore Football Coaches Foundation which was established to continue the tradition of presenting many of the shore’s top players with the opportunity to participate in the longest-running high school football all-star game in New Jersey. The Foundation also runs an event in the spring to recognize senior athletes from each of the 43 football-playing members of the Shore Conference who achieve excellence in the classroom as well as on the field.

After being played in late June the past few years this summer’s game will go back to its more traditional date of the Thursday after July 4^th. Lacey head coach Lou Vircillo, one of the founders of the Shore Football Coaches Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees said the date change was made to help accommodate the student-athletes interested in playing as well as allow those players selected for the state all-star game (June 25) to also participate in the Gridiron Classic. He added that much thought goes into decisions like this but in the end “the classic has always been an outstanding summer event. Our coaches, players, parents and football fans greatly enjoy it and I’m sure this tradition will continue for years to come.”

The Shore Sports Network has been involved in the game directly for the past five years as the marketing partner for the SFCF, including the printing of the official game day program and that partnership has further expanded this year. We are delighted to bring in InVision Eyecare as the presenting sponsor of the game as it goes hand in hand with their company policy of being a good neighbor.

Administrator Vicki L. Corby said “giving back to the community is a big part of who are and that is why InVision is proud to sponsor the 41^st Shore Sports Network All-Shore Gridiron Classic. We enthusiastically embrace this great Jersey Shore tradition and look forward to watching these players represent their high schools one last time.”

Founded by Dr. Edward Hedaya nearly 30 years ago, InVision features a team of ophthalmologists and optometrists who are recognized experts in laser vision correction, cataract surgery, dry eye treatment and management, retinal disorders and glaucoma.  Their office is located at 1 Route 70 in Lakewood and for more visit www.invisioneyecare.com.

Additional game information, including preliminary rosters, will be announced later this week on shoresportsnetwork.com.